Previously
- Aaron and Chloe fall out when she won't help him convince Nicolette to move back to No 32
- Chloe fills Jane in on the tension that's been brewing between the co- parenting trio
- Aaron, David and Nicolette agree she'll move back in for as long as needed when the baby's born
- Toadie accuses Hendrix of being back on with Harlow and keeping it from Mackenzie
- Paul tells Jenna he's a man of his word as regards keeping his end of the deal they've made
- Brent makes a stuffed bunny for David and Aaron's baby
- Paul guesses from a conversation with Hendrix that Harlow knows something about where Brent is
- When Jane mentions someone has accessed the Year 13 portal anonymously, Paul realises it's Brent
- Terese is worried that if Paul tells the police, Harlow will be charged as an accessory
- But Paul insists Jane will keep quiet about Harlow's involvement and heads to the police station
- At Beaumaris Beach, Harlow tells Brent that everything's going to be okay
Beaumaris Beach
Brent and Harlow are about to leave for Erinsborough, so he can hand himself in to the police. Brent says Harlow doesn't have to come with him, but she doesn't want him facing it alone.
However, at this moment, Constable Andrew Rodwell and his partner Kurt Bridges appear, and tell Brent to stay where he is. Harlow protests that he was just about to hand himself in.
RODWELL: Brent Colefax, you're under arrest. (to Harlow) And you're coming in for questioning.
BRENT: What for?!
BRIDGES: On suspicion of harbouring a fugitive.
BRENT: She had nothing to do with this! She just rocked up then!
RODWELL: We'll discuss that at the station.
Both Brent and Harlow are led away.
Erinsborough Police Station
Terese and Paul arrive, and find Harlow in reception with Levi. Paul tells Harlow not to say a word without a lawyer, but she's already been questioned, and Levi tells them Harlow is free to go.
LEVI: We're satisfied she had no prior knowledge of Brent's location or plans until shortly before we arrived.
PAUL: Yeah, well, of course she hasn't! It's appalling that she was even dragged in here!
Harlow wants to stick around and see Brent, but Paul insists they're going home, now. As he, Terese and Harlow leave the station, Paul chastises Harlow for involving herself in harbouring a criminal - but Terese reminds him he knew the risks.
HARLOW: Wait, you had something to do with this? You had me followed!
PAUL: Oh, of course I didn't.
HARLOW: Then how did you know where we were?
PAUL: I saw your chats on the school portal.
HARLOW: So you told the police?! You should've come to me first! Brent was on his way to turn himself in!
PAUL: Which he should have done days ago when you first made contact.
HARLOW: Yeah, he was waiting for Emmett to leave - he was actually doing the responsible thing, because it was the only chance of leniency. (To Terese) Did you know about this?
TERESE: Your grandfather was just looking out for you.
HARLOW: Oh, that is ridiculous. And you both know it. I was *this* close to being charged.
She walks off.
No 32
Nicolette and Chloe have joined Aaron and David for their regular board game session.
NICOLETTE: Although, if I smell the hint of a cheat, I'm out.
AARON: Really? And what does a cheat smell like, huh?
NICOLETTE: Desperation.
CHLOE: With top notes of protein powder and hair gel.
AARON: Me?!
David comes in, having been on the phone with Levi. He explains that Brent has been apprehended and is in custody. Aaron goes to call Emmett and Jenna. Chloe and Nicolette are understanding that 'family fun time' has to be put on ice.
AARON (on phone to Jenna): Look, we don't know much, only that he's being held... Okay... Alright, hang on a sec... (to David) She's asking us to make sure Paul holds up his end of the bargain. Do you know what that means?
DAVID: I have no idea...
The Flamingo Bar
Hendrix and Mackenzie are talking about their plans for the volleyball tournament, and Mackenzie is talking some serious tactics.
HENDRIX: You hate sport!
MACKENZIE: Mock me all you like, ye of little faith. Just know that if you don't want to play with me, Toadie's waiting in the wings.
HENDRIX: No, I totally want to play with you. I mean, it would be rude not to help out. My vertical leap - magnificent.
Harlow comes in, looking glum, and joins them. She explains that Brent's been arrested before he had a chance to turn himself in, because Paul reported him. He's being held overnight, and the police will decide on bail tomorrow.
MACKENZIE: Wait - you found Brent, and you went to see him? (To Hendrix) And you knew about it?!
HENDRIX: Yeah, I saw him too.
MACKENZIE: Hendrix, you would've been in major trouble if the police found out.
HENDRIX: I know, I was worried about Harlow.
Hendrix goes to get Harlow a drink, and Mackenzie looks worried.
No 24
Chloe asks Nicolette how she's doing after all the Brent drama at No 32.
NICOLETTE: Yeah, why wouldn't I be?
CHLOE: Your drama with the boys started with Brent. It's a touchy subject.
NICOLETTE: I didn't say that. Sure, I didn't want him living there, but it doesn't mean that I don't feel for the kid.
CHLOE: Really?
NICOLETTE: I am capable of empathy, Chlo. Stone by name, not by nature. Most of the time.
CHLOE: You may pretend otherwise, but I know you've got a fuzzy-wuzzy little care bear inside you too. And I'm not just talking about the baby, cos I know she's just gonna come out as soft and gooey as her mum.
NICOLETTE: Hey, I have told you that soft and gooey are words you are not allowed to use to describe me.
Nonetheless, Nicolette tells Chloe she wants to do something special for David and Aaron, and says she needs Chloe's help...
Erinsborough Police Station
The next day, Levi comes in with Brent, and tells Harlow that Brent has been deemed a flight risk - therefore he hasn't been granted bail and will be held in remand until his hearing. Harlow asks for a moment alone with Brent, but jobsworth Levi tells her she'll have to organise a visit to the remand centre, and points her in the direction of a form to fill in!
BRENT: I'm so sorry, Harlow.
Levi leads Brent away. Toadie comes in, and tells Harlow that bail was always slim odds in this case, with Brent having been on the run.
HARLOW: How do you know he was denied bail?
TOADIE: ... You don't know.
HARLOW: Know what?
TOADIE: Well, I'm Brent's lawyer. Paul hired me.
Harlow is shocked.
No 32
David and Aaron are discussing the news that Paul is paying for Brent's legal representation.
DAVID: On one hand, it's classic Paul Robinson strong-arming.
AARON: Yeah, but on the other, he's only helping Brent.
DAVID: Right. Which is why I was up half the night trying to figure out whether I want to hug Dad or strangle him.
Chloe and Nicolette come in, with painting gear and brushes. They announce they've come to paint the baby's nursery, based on the colour schemes David and Aaron had put on a Pinterest board.
DAVID: Well, I'll have to cross-reference those -
AARON: No, Boo, these are perfect! Guys, this is such a wicked idea.
Aaron explains he and David can't help right now, as they have to go and see Paul, to grill him about the deal he made with Jenna. But Nicolette says she understands, and that they will want to check in with Brent too - so says she and Chloe have it covered for now, and the guys can join in later. The guys thank them, and head off.
No 22
Paul and Terese are waiting for David and Aaron to show up. Harlow arrives first, shortly followed by the boys. Harlow demands to know why Paul has hired Toadie to defend Brent, and what's in it for him. Paul claims he was 'simply trying to help'.
HARLOW: If you think it's gonna get you back in my good books, you can think again.
PAUL: Harlow, that wasn't why I did it.
HARLOW: Then why?! And don't tell me it's out of the goodness of your heart.
DAVID: He hired Toadie because he made a deal with Brent's mum. Right, Dad?
PAUL: Look, I promised Jenna that I would take care of him once he was found (...) when she was tossing up whether to go to New Zealand or not. But she was hesitant with Brent still on the run.
AARON: Right, so you sweetened the pot.
PAUL: No. This is the best outcome for everybody - for Emmett, for Jenna *and* for Brent. Now, I'm gonna do everything in my power to make sure that he gets a lighter sentence, and that way he can make a fresh start.
Harlow looks sceptical; Terese says she's as surprised as Harlow is.
TERESE: But it sounds like your grandfather -
HARLOW (shouting): Will you stop defending him?! (to Paul) You didn't want to help Brent! You told the police! But you know what? Brent was actually about to turn himself in.
PAUL: Well, I didn't know that. Now, the longer he stayed on the run, the worse the situation became. So I did what I had to do.
No 32
Nicolette and Chloe are about to start work painting the nursery. Nicolette decides to leave all the furnishings in a pile in the middle of the room while they work around them. Chloe queries whether that's wise, as she's a 'pretty splattery paintress'. But Nic assures her it'll be fine, provided they put drop sheets over it all.
CHLOE: I am quite liking this 'take-charge' attitude on you.
NICOLETTE: The attitude, or the overalls?
CHLOE: Attitude on you, overalls off you.
NICOLETTE: Is that an order, captain?
As they continue to flirt, Nicolette accidentally backs into a hideous clown-design lamp that she had moved into the centre of the room, and it falls to the floor and smashes.
NICOLETTE: Uh-oh...
Ramsay Street
Mackenzie encounters Hendrix in the street, and wants to talk about the Brent situation.
MACKENZIE: What you did...
HENDRIX: It was risky.
MACKENZIE: It was stupid. Out-of-this-world stupid. Do you have any idea how much trouble you would've been in?
HENDRIX: A lot.
MACKENZIE: You're on a good behaviour bond, Hendrix. You would've gone to jail if the police found out. How did this even happen? You and Harlow have barely been speaking, and she chose to confide in *you*.
HENDRIX: She didn't. I had a hunch, and I forced it out of her.
MACKENZIE: And you both kept it from me.
Chloe is passing, and witnesses the tense conversation.
HENDRIX: I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to hurt you, but I thought I was doing the right thing. Don't you know where I'm coming from?
MACKENZIE: No. But I guess Harlow does. I'll see you later, Hendrix.
She walks off, annoyed. Chloe approaches Hendrix; she explains that she's been painting at No 32, but has been home to get some glue for a 'major clown reconstruction'. Hendrix explains briefly why Mackenzie's annoyed at him, and concedes he wishes he'd been honest with her.
No 22
Harlow comes in and finds Paul, Terese, David and Aaron still talking. Harlow has brought the toy bunny that Brent made for the baby, explaining how he based it on the one a neighbour made for him when he was a child.
DAVID: That's so thoughtful.
HARLOW: He really cherished it. It reminded him that there was actually some kindness in this world. So he wants your baby to know that, too.
TERESE: That's a lovely gesture.
AARON: Yeah. He is a sweet kid deep down.
HARLOW: It's actually right there on the surface, if you really take the time to look.
Harlow glares at Paul. She says she's arranged to go and see Brent at the remand centre, and invites David and Aaron to join her.
PAUL: Brent is no longer their concern. I'm taking care of the situation.
David and Aaron don't even respond to this, and confirm they're ready to leave with Harlow now. Paul looks annoyed as they all go.
No 32
In the nursery, Nicolette has painstakingly superglued the clown lamp back together. But...
CHLOE: Did his head always lean to the left like that?
Nicolette concedes it didn't, and says she's ruined everything.
CHLOE: Reality check - this clown is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen in my entire life. It is pretty much guaranteed to give anyone under the age of thirty nightmares, let alone a baby.
NICOLETTE: Yeah, but it's in here with their special stuff, which means it's important to them, and I ruined it.
CHLOE: It's not ruined, it's just slightly altered. He's got character now! And maybe no-one will even notice. As long as it works, that's the main thing, right?
Chloe tries to turn it on, and the light buzzes and flickers, before going out altogether!
No 30
Mackenzie asks Toadie how Brent's case is going. Toadie says he didn't get bail, but that he's hoping for a quick hearing as Brent has pleaded guilty. His sentence will depend on the judge, but Toadie would be more optimistic if Brent had handed himself in. Toadie asks Mackenzie how Harlow is holding up.
MACKENZIE: I spoke to her earlier. Well, more like I stood there like a lump, watching her talk to Hendrix. Turns out they've been pretty close lately. They've been keeping this secret from me (...) Hendrix said they kept it from me to protect me, but... I think he's fallen in love with her again. It's the only thing that makes sense.
Toadie looks shifty, and says little.
MACKENZIE: Not that I have a problem with it at all. If Hendrix wants to go back down that path, good for him. I just really hate that he's being shady.
Toadie can't keep quiet any longer, and admits he's been a bit suss about Hendrix and Harlow himself. He says he could be way off the mark, but suggests Mackenzie ask Hendrix about it, in order to get to the bottom of it. Mackenzie nods in agreement.
Remand Centre
Harlow, David and Aaron are visiting Brent.
BRENT: You know, it's not much. The rabbit's pretty basic, so...
DAVID: Harlow told us the story behind it.
AARON: Yeah. And we're gonna make sure bub knows exactly how special it is, and what it means.
BRENT: Look, I've done some stupid things. But you could've lost your baby because of me. I mean, making a toy - that's the least I could do.
DAVID: Well, we appreciate it.
AARON: Yeah. Thank you.
BRENT: No, I should be the one thanking you guys. You know, you gave me every single chance, and I went out and screwed them up.
AARON: Listen, Brent, don't be too hard on yourself, mate. We both know you tried.
BRENT: You should be celebrating getting rid of me, not trying to make me feel better. Just... promise me one thing. That you all will be there for Emm if he ever needs it.
DAVID: Of course we will.
BRENT: Thank you.
David and Aaron decide to leave, to give Brent and Harlow some time alone. Harlow blames herself for Brent's predicament; if it wasn't for her, she says, he'd have turned himself in by now. But Brent says he only has himself to blame. He says it hasn't been so bad in here; no-one's given him a hard time, at least.
BRENT: Harlow, I loved every moment I spent with you.
HARLOW: Good. Because there are so many more to come.
BRENT: Yeah. Yeah, maybe soon. Toadie seems like he knows what he's doing. Who knows, I might get let off easy.
HARLOW: Brent, whatever happens, we'll make it work. Wherever you are, I'll be right there with you.
No 32
In the nursery, Nicolette and Chloe are looking shifty when Aaron arrives home, all excited about how great the room will look when it's finished. Noticing something's up, Aaron asks what the problem is.
NICOLETTE: We messed up.
They show Aaron the clown map.
AARON: Oh, no! No, no, no, no, no, no! Come on! Oh, and this is how you put him back together? Not even the arm?
CHLOE: Well, it's not that big a deal. I mean, we can replace it!
AARON: I'm sorry, but you can't replace Mr Pickle-Tickle. It's a Tanaka family heirloom.
NICOLETTE: Oh, no!
AARON: Yeah, David's gonna be a mess.
David himself comes in, and immediately senses the atmosphere.
CHLOE: We killed Mr Pickle-Tickle!
NICOLETTE: I'm so sorry, David. I give you express permission to destroy one of my most prized possessions!
David takes a deep breath, playing along with Aaron for a minute.
DAVID: You mean, the cheap, creepy lamp Mum gave me that I've been looking for an excuse to bin?
NICOLETTE: What?
CHLOE: This isn't a special heirloom?
DAVID (laughing): No! It's an abomination!
Aaron bursts out laughing.
AARON: You should've seen your faces!
David shows them the rabbit Brent made, saying that this is true heirloom material. Nicolette asks how he's going; the boys explain Toadie is hoping for leniency from the judge, based on Brent's circumstances.
NICOLETTE: I hope it all works out for him.
But David says they're taking a step back; now Brent's safe and Emmett's settled, the boys are going to be focusing all their energy on Nicolette and the baby, as their number one priority.
NICOLETTE: Even with my clownicidal tendencies?
DAVID: Trust me - killing that clown only sweetened an already sweet deal.
The lamp zaps and crackles, making them all jump!
The Flamingo Bar
Hendrix is nervously waiting for Mackenzie to show up. When she arrives, she wants answers.
MACKENZIE: Everyone knows you hate Brent (...) but you stuck your neck out to protect him. Why?
HENDRIX: For Harlow.
MACKENZIE: So, you'd put yourself at risk for your ex. I'll ask again - why?
HENDRIX: She's still my friend.
MACKENZIE: I don't think that's it.
HENDRIX: What else would it be?
MACKENZIE: You like her (...) I mean, you *like* like her. As in, you have fallen for her again.
HENDRIX: No. You are way off base there (...) I would do the same for any mate.
MACKENZIE: Really? You expect me to believe that you'd risk going to jail for Jay, or Chloe, or me?
HENDRIX: Yeah, *especially* you, yes. I don't like Harlow, Mackenzie. The person I've fallen for is you.
Mackenzie is shocked.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Toadie tells Angela Lane, 'Whatever happens here will stay between us.' Overhearing, Mackenzie is upset
- Levi tells Bea, 'You said that you loved me, but you can't trust me?'
- Sheila 2 warns Bea not to spend her life pleasing other people, or she'll never be happy
- Sheila 1 tells Sheila 2, 'We can't always control who we're drawn to'
- An emotional Sheila 2 says 'thank you' to Ned
